Tank-car construction



March 13, 1928. 1,662,471

H. w. PROTZELLER TANK CAR CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 23, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fmfenro r March 13, 1928. 1,662,471

H. w. PROTZELLER TANK CAR CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 23, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fTnfent);

3 1567')" Wflo/Ee/[er orggy Patented Mar. 13, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY w. rnorznnnnn, or nasr onroaeo, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR To 0. 1. JORDAN COMPANY, OF. EAST CHICAGO, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF INDIANA.

TANK-CAR CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed February 23,1927. Serial No. 170,299.

This invention relates to improvements in tank car constructions and it consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a short wheel base tank car, which is simple in construction and which is strong and rigid and is efficient for its intended purpose.

A further object of the invention is to provide a car of this kind wherein the bolsters are formed to provide cradles for the tank, which bolsters are connected ontheir median line by a reach bar, and also by diagonal braces, the ends of the bolster each having secured to them one end of associated brackets, the other end of which is attached to the tank.

These objects of the invention as well as others, together with the many advantages thereof will more fully appear as I proceed with my specification. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a tank car embodying therein my invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof on an enlarged scale. I

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the runn ng gear of my improved tank car constructlon.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view'of a bolster casing embodied in my improved construction.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings 1 indicates as a whole the running gear of my improved car construction and 2 indicates the tank or .container thereof. The running gear includes front and rear bolster 33 of similar construction so that a detailed description of one will suflice for both. As best shown in Fig. 4, each bolster is an elongated, rectangular open top casting comprising a lionzontally disposed bottom wall 4:, upright front and rear side walls 55 and upright fiat end walls 66. On each end of the bolster in the plane of the bottom wall are outwardly extending side flanges 77 connected together by an end flange 8, all suitably webbed for strength. The top edges of both side walls of the bolster are curved downwardly or concaved as M3 9 and on one side wall between its ends is a rectangular apertured projection 11 and on the other side wall in line with said projection 11. is

a second apertured projection 12, both projections being disposed in the plane of the bottom wall of the bolster.

Secured to and depending from the ends of the side flanges 7-7 under the end flange 8 ateach endofthe bolster is a bearing sleeve 13 and journalled in suitable antifriction bearings in the bearing sleevesof each bolster is an axle 1 1. To those ends of the axle projecting beyond said sleeves, flanged car wheels 15 are secured for travel upon the rails 16 of a railroad track; Suitable end thrust bearings 17for the axle and wheels are associated with the bearing sleeves of each bolster. I

The running gear of my improved car construction embodies a pairot such wheeled bolsters so positioned that the rectangular lugsll-ll of both bolsters face each other. Both bolsters are connected together by a reach bar 18 in the form of a channel, with its flanges facingdownwardly and with the ends of its web resting upon and riveted to said lugs 11'11. The ends of one bolster are connected to the opposite ends of the other bolster by diagonally arranged braces 19 and 20 fixed at their ends to the flanges 7 of theassociated bolster ends. In the case of the brace 19 the same is continuous throughout its length and is fixed at its middle to the top surface of the web of the reach bar, while the brace bar 20 is made in two sections with the inner end of each section fixed to the reach bar 18.

By this arrangement the bolsters are held in parallelism and against suchstrains as tend to twist them out of line and a good strong running gear of short wheel base is provided. The lugs 12+12 in this instance provide for a ready draw bar connection with any suitable propelling vehicle also adapted to run on said rails 16. I j

The container 2 in this instance is a horizontally disposed cylindrical tank which rests upon and with a saddle-like action upon the concaved top edge portions 99 of the side walls of both bolsters with the rounded ends thereof projecting a short distance fore and aft the wheels 15 as best shown in Fig. 1. This tank is held in this position upon the bolsters by straps or brackets 21-21. one fixed to each fiat end wall 6 of both bolsters and to said tank respectively as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the connections between said straps and bolsters and. tank being riveted ones. By this arrangement a low center of gravity is provided for the tank which tends to counteract any lateral tipping of the tank. The car having a short wheel base easily takes the usual curves .l'ound in railroad tracks and this without such binding upon the outer rail as will be detrimental. The car is especially adapted as a tender or oil supply tank car for use in connection with a self propelled rail joint oiler to which it may be coupled for traction purposes.

The tank car construction above described comprisesbut a small number of parts which may be readily assembled and which is strong and durable in the use for which it is intended.

\Vhile in describing my invention, I have referred in detail to certain forms of the parts as well as the arrangement thereof. the same is to he considered as by way of illustration only so that l do not wish to be limited thereto except as may be pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A tank car construction embodying therein a running gear comprising a. pair of holsters, supporting wheels and axles for each bolster, areach bar connecting said bolsters together, bracing means extending from the end of one bolster to the opposite end of the other bolster, and a container engaged upon and secured to both bolsters.

2. A tank car construction embodying therein a running gear comprising a pair of bolsters each having flanges at the ends thereof and :1 lug arranged midway bet vecn said flanges, supporting wheels and axles for each bolster. a reach bar fixed at its ends to said lugs on both bolsters, and diagonal brace bars fixed at: one end to the flanges on one end of a bolster and at the opposite end to the flanges on the opposite ends of the other bolster, both braces crossing and being fixed to said reach bar and a container engaged upon and fixed to both bolsters.

3. A car construction embodying therein a running gear comprising a pair of bolsters each having flanges at the ends thereof and :1 lug arranged midway between said flanges, supporting wheels and axles for each bolster,

a reach bar comprising a channel iron with its flanges facing downwardly connecting said bolsters and having the ends of its web secured to said lugs on both holsten and diagonally arranged braced bars each lixcd at one end to the flanges on one bolster and each lixed at its other end to the opposite end flanges oi. the other bolster, each brace crossing the reach bar at its middle and being lixed thereto and a container resting upon and secured to said bolsters.

l. A. car construction embodying therein a running gear comprising a pair of bolsters each having flanges at the ends thereof, hearing sleeves fixed to and depending from said end flanges, axles with wheels thereon journalled in said l'iearing sleeves, a reach bar connecting said bolsters between the ends thereof, diagonally arranged brace ha rs. each connected at one end to one at said end flanges on the holster and at its other end to the o'iposite flanges on the ends of the other bolster and a container mounted upon and secured to said bolsters.

A car construction embodying therein a pair of bolsters each comprising upright flat end walls and upright side walls the top edges of which are convcxcd, flanges at each end of each bolster, wheeled axles operatively connected to each bolster, a reach bar connecting the mid portions of both bolsters, diagonally disposed brace bars, fixed at their opposite ends to the flanges on the diagonally opposite end of said bolsters and also fixed to the reach bar, a tank resting upon the convexed top edges of the bolsters and plates fixed to the tank and to the flat end walls of the bolsters for securing the tank in place.

6. A car bolster comprising an elongated member having a bottom wall, upright side walls and end walls, the top edges of said side walls being concaved, horizontally disposed side and end flanges at each end of the bolster and lugs projecting in opposite directions from said side walls midway between said end walls.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my band, this 15 day of February, 1927.

HARRY \V. PROTZELLER. 

